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No more analog TV for Verizon

Verizon Communications has completely eliminated analog TV simulcasts throughout its 14-state FiOS TV footprint, with just under two months to go before the federally-mandated digital TV transition deadline on Feb. 17, 2009. Verizon first told the Federal Communications Commission in the summer of 2007 that it would phase-out analog, provided the FCC waive its ban on set-top boxes with integrated security functions. FiOS TV customers now need set-top boxes, digital converters or TVs with built-in digital QAM tuners.

Verizon is one service provider that has been aggressive and ultra-communicative about its transition to all-digital. In recent weeks, TV commercials featuring celebrities explaining the transition have seemed fairly ubiquitous as well, and Frank N. Magid Associates said in an HDTV-related report this week that the majority of consumers probably have made the arrangements they needed to make in advance of the transition. Magid also believes, however, that HD programming adoption could jump after the DTV deadline because many consumer incorrectly believe that all TV content will be presented in HD after the transition date. About 29 percent of respondents to a Magid survey made that incorrect assumption.